The cost of tuition fees will quite rightly be at the forefront of any prospective international student’s mind. After all, you need to be able to afford your studies. If you’re trying to choose between New Zealand’s eight universities, all ranked in the top three per cent globally, it’s understandable if you’re eager for more information.  

Don’t worry, we've researched it for you. To find out more about tuition fees in New Zealand, all you need to do is read this article.

All costs in this article are given in US dollars, with a conversion rate of 1 USD: 1.5 NZD at the time of writing.

What do tuition fees cover?

In New Zealand, tuition fees are charged annually and usually cover:

• lectures, seminars, and tutorials
• examinations
• access to university resources, e.g. libraries and computer rooms
• access to course-related facilities and equipment, e.g. laboratories and studios

Tuition fees do not usually cover any student supplies (e.g. textbooks or stationery) or living expenses (e.g. rent, travel or bills). For more information about these, why not read our article about the cost of living in New Zealand.

New Zealand universities also require students to pay a compulsory student services levy, separate from their tuition fees. The amount varies, so be sure to check this with your university. As an example, the University of Auckland suggests the average undergraduate would pay approximately USD 650 a year.

Understanding tuition fees

When calculating the price of tuition fees in New Zealand, there are several considerations to remember since the costs can vary so widely.

Home country

Anyone applying to university from outside of New Zealand and Australia is an international student (also known as an overseas student) and is therefore subject to the international fee structure.

If you are an Australian student, you are entitled to the same subsidised fee rates as domestic (New Zealand) students.

Academic institution

Tuition fees vary significantly between institutions. Often, the higher an education provider sits on world university rankings lists, the more they will charge more for their courses. Discover more about the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and the QS World University Rankings 2022.

Some New Zealand universities charge tuition fees by unit, meaning every student’s fees are unique and tailored to the modules they choose.

Type of qualification

Typically, tuition fees for postgraduate degrees are more costly per year than they are at the undergraduate level. Don't forget that if you are looking to study for your PhD in New Zealand, you will be able to take advantage of the same tuition fee rates as local students, provided you live in New Zealand for the duration of your course.

Subject studied

Typically, science degrees cost more than arts or humanities degrees. Medical and veterinary sciences are usually much more expensive than other degree types.

Course length

Remember to consider the length of your course. As tuition fees are not usually charged as a one-off payment, the longer your course takes, the more expensive it will be. Undergraduate degrees in New Zealand are typically three years long.

Method of learning

Some universities offer online learning option that is often considerably cheaper than traditional methods of study. Similarly, at the postgraduate level, research-based courses will be cheaper than taught courses.

Years abroad

If your course offers a year abroad, the tuition fees for that year may be different to other years.

How much are international tuition fees for undergraduate study in New Zealand?

Overseas tuition fees in New Zealand typically cost anywhere between USD 17,000 to USD 30,000 per year. If this large range worries you and you want a more realistic picture of the tuition fees you can expect to pay, we’ve put together all the data you’ll need.

In the below table, you can see the cost of overseas undergraduate tuition fees (per year) at New Zealand’s top five universities. These fees are for full-time courses starting in 2022.

Typical New Zealand international undergraduate tuition fees per year

*fees at the higher end of these ranges represent the more costly years 2-6 in medical or veterinary subjects

Want to get an idea of tuition fees for some of the most popular undergraduate courses in New Zealand? Our next table can help.

Typical New Zealand annual international undergraduate tuition fees (by course)

*health sciences only

With these two tables, hopefully you can get a basic understanding of what you might expect to pay in tuition fees as an undergraduate in New Zealand. And of course, if you already know which universities you are interested in, you can request prospectuses for more information about courses and fees.

How much are international tuition fees for postgraduate study in New Zealand?

Broadly speaking, the range in postgraduate international tuition fees in New Zealand is about USD 9,000 to USD 31,000 per year.

However, one big difference for overseas PhD students is that tuition fees are charged at the same rate as New Zealand students’ (provided you live in the country for the length of your course). The cost is around USD 5,000 per year.

We’ve put together some tables to help you understand how all these figures can be applied to your situation.

Typical New Zealand international postgraduate tuition fees per year (or course length, where the full course is shorter than a year)

*the lower end of these fee ranges represents the cost of a PhD for international students residing in New Zealand

The next table shows costs of some popular postgraduate course options at the same five universities. Remember, the range shown for each course may include options at every level of postgraduate study, from postgraduate certificates all the way through to doctorates.

Typical New Zealand annual international postgraduate tuition fee per year (or course length, where the full course is shorter than a year) by course type

*MBAs are charged as a one-off payment for the full course rather than an annual fee

** health sciences only

Feeling a little more confident about what to expect? Perhaps now would be a good time to order some prospectuses and narrow down your university choices.

How do I pay my tuition fees in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, tuition fees are paid directly to the university. You will need to have paid your first year of fees before you can receive your student visa. Some universities charge their tuition fees annually, whilst others charge by quarter or semester. Be sure to check fee structures with your chosen university before you apply.

Did you know?

Many universities offer scholarships and funding opportunities to international students. It’s worth checking to see if there’s one that might suit you.

Now that you know all you need to about the cost of tuition fees, why not learn about the application process for universities in New Zealand? You can also search for and find your ideal course in New Zealand using our course matcher tool.

Disclaimer: Whilst we’ve done all we can to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this article, be aware that these are guidelines and averages only. Costs may vary or change at any time, so be sure to verify fee structures with any prospective institutions.